Introduction

During the long 19th century, the production and export of cured herring from Scotland to the
Continent
developed into a thriving industry which had a dominant place in the market. Until now, historical
accounts
have focused on national aspects of the industry, but it would not have succeeded without a customer
base
and an extensive distribution network on the Continent. This website shows how commercial
co-operation
across national boundaries helped to slow the decline in the population of the Highlands of Scotland
and
contributed substantially to the feeding of Europe’s growing working classes.